Mad Cow Theatre
Mad Cow Theatre
4.5
Theaters
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Mad Cow Theatre is one of Orlando's most respected professional theatre companies presenting compelling works of theatre for a wide-range of audiences, with a passion for both classic and contemporary plays and musicals representing the best of American and World literature.
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- Church St Station • 2 min walk
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
55 reviews
Excellent
41
Very good
10
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
WHMeg
Willoughby Hills, OH498 contributions
Feb 2020
Not every show that you see will be your favorite, but I still like Mad Cow Theatre. Located in downtown Orlando, there are several find places to eat nearby, so it's easy to make a night out of going to a play. Parking is ample as well, and check out any discounts that Mad Cow may have currently with either restaurants or parking establishments. Both theatre spaces are intimate and drinks and some snacks are also available.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt F
Orlando, FL4 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
My date and I went to see Pygmalion on Friday night. I hadn't been to Church Street in a long time, and it was a great spot for a nice walk, a quick bite and a touch of the local arts. Mad Cow was such a great place. Really amazing actors/actresses, like incredible memorization and performances- I will never not be impressed by the length of time and attention to detail people can give to a performance, but this was really something special. Front of the house staff, box office, and managers were all really polite and courteous as well, felt really welcomed. I'm about 50 miles out of town (live in Mount Dora) but I have no problem coming back here for a performance. It's nice to know there is something in downtown Orlando to enjoy at night aside from the bars! Thanks for a great time Mad Cow!
Written December 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mictim2
Orlando, FL87 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
As a very avid theater goer, I must rank Mad Cow at the top of the list. Beautiful, newly built theater complex downtown that includes two small, very intimate theaters consistently delivering top notch performances. Their fare typically leans toward contemporary, drama type plays - not many musicals here if you're looking for Hello Dolly or Cats go elsewhere fast, thank you. With the two theaters, they have a very fully season. We like to go early, have dinner in one of the many great dining options surrounding the theater, and then sit in for a wonderful night of theater. They have a nice wine / cocktail / coffee bar too. Support local arts and theater! We really have some great organizations here. . . . Mad Cow certainly one of them!! PS - and who can resist a theater company that's named after a disease for godess sake!!
Written February 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Halreader
Orlando, FL37 contributions
Jan 2015 • Solo
I like going to shows--whether they be on Broadway, or local theater. I have been to Mad Cow Theatre before, from it's old location on Magnolia Avenue in Downtown Orlando, but I had wanted to visit its new location on Church Street. I was not disappointed.
It's location, first off, was well-chosen. Church Street Station was once a very popular tourist hub, but through the years it had fallen on hard times, and was empty--as an Orlando resident, it was rather disheartening to see Church Street Station so barren . But Downtown Orlando's revitalization had focused primarily on Church Street: new restaurants, bars, a light-rail station, and new entertainment venues. With the Amway Arena and the just-opened Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center within walking distance, it aims to be a popular hub again. And Mad Cow is right in the midst of it.
Orlando has several performing arts venues (like the new big-venue Dr. Phillips Center), and Mad Cow primarily focuses on smaller venues and stages, so guests can enjoy theater up-close. Drama, comedy, musical---many types of performing art are played here.
The one I have gone to was an Off-Broadway production of "The Explorers Club," a hi-jinks, madcap farce set in Victorian England, where the all-male members of explorers and scientists gather to drink brandy, smoke cigars, and regale in their tales of discovery. That is, until a proposition arises that a female explorer should become a member, in light of her making a new discovery of lost lands and tribes.
Egads!
Women in an all-male club? Blue-skinned savages becoming bartenders? Blowhard presidents? Skittish botanists and explorers? Bible-thumping scientists making connections of lost Old Testament tribes--to Victorian Ireland?
Well, as it is their calling, "TO SCIENCE!"
The cast was top-notch and really made it work. Mad Cow seem to always have the right casting for their shows. In past Mad Cow shows and in this recent one, I thoroughly enjoyed the production and the acting, the intimacy of the theater--you are close to the action, which was fast and furiously funny. It reminded me of the old "Adventurers Club," a comedy show at Disney's Pleasure Island that sadly was discontinued in 2008, but in "The Explorers Club," with a few former Adventurers Club veterans performing, the parallels were there, so it was just as fun and enjoyable.
So do visit the local scenes here in Downtown Orlando--whether it be watching a basketball game at the Amway Arena, taking in symphonies and concerts at the Dr. Phillips Center, enjoying the diverse restaurants and bars, and enjoying small theater at Mad Cow. When you go back home, support your local performing arts and venues. You'll be glad you did!
Go check them out..."TO SCIENCE!"
It's location, first off, was well-chosen. Church Street Station was once a very popular tourist hub, but through the years it had fallen on hard times, and was empty--as an Orlando resident, it was rather disheartening to see Church Street Station so barren . But Downtown Orlando's revitalization had focused primarily on Church Street: new restaurants, bars, a light-rail station, and new entertainment venues. With the Amway Arena and the just-opened Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center within walking distance, it aims to be a popular hub again. And Mad Cow is right in the midst of it.
Orlando has several performing arts venues (like the new big-venue Dr. Phillips Center), and Mad Cow primarily focuses on smaller venues and stages, so guests can enjoy theater up-close. Drama, comedy, musical---many types of performing art are played here.
The one I have gone to was an Off-Broadway production of "The Explorers Club," a hi-jinks, madcap farce set in Victorian England, where the all-male members of explorers and scientists gather to drink brandy, smoke cigars, and regale in their tales of discovery. That is, until a proposition arises that a female explorer should become a member, in light of her making a new discovery of lost lands and tribes.
Egads!
Women in an all-male club? Blue-skinned savages becoming bartenders? Blowhard presidents? Skittish botanists and explorers? Bible-thumping scientists making connections of lost Old Testament tribes--to Victorian Ireland?
Well, as it is their calling, "TO SCIENCE!"
The cast was top-notch and really made it work. Mad Cow seem to always have the right casting for their shows. In past Mad Cow shows and in this recent one, I thoroughly enjoyed the production and the acting, the intimacy of the theater--you are close to the action, which was fast and furiously funny. It reminded me of the old "Adventurers Club," a comedy show at Disney's Pleasure Island that sadly was discontinued in 2008, but in "The Explorers Club," with a few former Adventurers Club veterans performing, the parallels were there, so it was just as fun and enjoyable.
So do visit the local scenes here in Downtown Orlando--whether it be watching a basketball game at the Amway Arena, taking in symphonies and concerts at the Dr. Phillips Center, enjoying the diverse restaurants and bars, and enjoying small theater at Mad Cow. When you go back home, support your local performing arts and venues. You'll be glad you did!
Go check them out..."TO SCIENCE!"
Written January 30, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CBWOrlando_FL
Orlando, FL75 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
We love the theater and go often. We used to be regulars at another theater in town, but as their quality has diminished, this one has continued to deliver exceptional quality. Although we have not seen everything they have produced, we are realizing more and more, that we have NEVER seen anything that we would not recommend to others!
Mad Cow moved into their current location in the autumn of 2012. The seats are wide and comfortable and there is not a bad one in the house. They produce a wide variety of works from contemporary to Elizabethan and everything in between.
Last night we saw Laughter on the 23rd Floor. We saw this in London, England many years ago and quite frankly, we enjoyed this production more! They have an uncanny way of casting the perfect cast drawing from a combination of Equity and non-Equity actors. The sets and costume are always spot on contributing to the experience and not detracting from it no matter what the genre.
This is excellent theatre and an excellent value. No matter what they are producing, it is worth seeing. It will make you laugh or cry or think or all of the above.
Mad Cow moved into their current location in the autumn of 2012. The seats are wide and comfortable and there is not a bad one in the house. They produce a wide variety of works from contemporary to Elizabethan and everything in between.
Last night we saw Laughter on the 23rd Floor. We saw this in London, England many years ago and quite frankly, we enjoyed this production more! They have an uncanny way of casting the perfect cast drawing from a combination of Equity and non-Equity actors. The sets and costume are always spot on contributing to the experience and not detracting from it no matter what the genre.
This is excellent theatre and an excellent value. No matter what they are producing, it is worth seeing. It will make you laugh or cry or think or all of the above.
Written February 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
'lainafromNY
Leesburg, FL50 contributions
Dec 2012 • Couples
Just saw August: Osage County. This is theatre as it was meant to be! Big enough to be professional, small enough to be intimate where one can feel the connection between actors and audience. A true gem in Central Florida.
Written December 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick K
Kalamazoo, MI100 contributions
If I lived in Orlando I would be a subscriber! Apparently, they have just moved into their new performance space and it is beautifully designed and decorated. We attended the opening night of "August: Osage County" and it was excellent. Bravo to the cast and crew!
Written December 6, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
traveljunkie1978
Longwood, FL183 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We have been season subscribers for the last couple of years. There are two theaters; one that seats around 200 people, and the other theater is much smaller. The actors are very good and the sets and props are very creative. Occasionally they have a "Talk Back" after performances. The actors take questions from the audience, which makes them very approachable. The selection of plays are very eclectic. They even had a production of "Hair". I highly recommend giving Mad Cow a try and become one of the Herd.
Written March 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ScheetzTravels
Orlando, FL169 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Every year the Mad Cow brings compelling and entertaining theatre to Orlando. One of the most fun offerings is the "It Was A Very Good Year" cabarets. This year they chose to transport audiences to 1970 & 1980 in two shows, each lasting about 45 minutes. I was fortunate to catch both. The cast of four was amazing! A blonde, a brunette and a red head along with a gentleman all singing and spouting facts from days gone by. It was a great way to spend an evening with friends and we look forward to the upcoming season at this venue!
Written May 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindsay B
Orlando, FL252 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
I had been keeping an eye on Avenue Q tickets and kept waiting too long and it was selling out. I was happy to see it was extended and bought tickets over the phone. I got an email confirmation and picked up the tickets when we arrived. We got a drink before the show and we were asked if we wanted to pre-order intermission drinks. DO IT! The Harriett has 161 seats (according to the website) and there was understandably a line for drinks. I would have just skipped it, but instead I had a personalized tray waiting for me with no wait.
The show was awesome. You could tell the performers love what they do. I can't wait to see 1776 with a female cast! I saw it in Memphis years ago. We will definitely be back!
The show was awesome. You could tell the performers love what they do. I can't wait to see 1776 with a female cast! I saw it in Memphis years ago. We will definitely be back!
Written July 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
thesteevesgroup
Orlando, FL2,529 contributions
We wanted to see a show but the seating is by "tables". What tables are good seats. I can't find a seating chart?
Hello! Our "It Was a Very Good Yule" performance has 3 rows of table seating. If you are on a mobile device, you will not be able to view the seating charts, but if you visit the website on a desktop, you will see an option to choose your own seats. You can also call Patron Services and they will be happy to go over your options and talk you through the process as well. We hope to see you there!
dgraugard
Edgewood, FL
Is there anything to do during the day ??
We were there years ago and many bars were open and had music and entertainment????
Vince Z
Orlando, FL40 contributions
Mad Cow has matinee performances occasionally. Usually on Sundays. The Plaza Theater on Orange Avenue is the only other entertainment during the day time.
AMJ
14 contributions
Any age advisory for the shows? Are shows suitable for teenagers (12-16)?
ScheetzTravels
Orlando, FL169 contributions
Every show I have seen at MadCow has been family friendly. Right now they are doing "Animal Crackers", which is also for general audiences. If you have a question about a specific show, I would contact their box office. Unlike the Orlando Rep, it's not designed as childrens' theatre.
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